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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
1.17.21.17.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.17.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

गां च धर्मदुघां दीनां भृशं शूद्रपदाहताम् ।

विवत्सामाश्रुवदनां क्षामां यवसमिच्छतीम् ॥ ३ ॥

gāṁ ca dharma-dughāṁ dīnāṁ

bhṛśaṁ śūdra-padāhatām

vivatsām āśru-vadanāṁ

kṣāmāṁ yavasam icchatīm

Translation

Although the cow is beneficial because one can draw religious principles from her, she was now rendered poor and calfless. Her legs were being beaten by a śūdra. There were tears in her eyes, and she was distressed and weak. She was hankering after some grass in the field.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Human Happiness Includes the Cow's Happiness

  1. 1

    The cow stood weak, hungry and tearful, deprived of her calf. The purport describes the distressed condition of cows as another symptom of the Age of Kali.

  2. 2

    Cow's milk supports religious life and is required for the sacrificial fire. A calf gives satisfaction to its mother, and the householder's duty includes caring for cows and bulls.

  3. 3

    Economic development cannot bring true peace while cows and bulls suffer. The purport urges people to make these animals happy in all respects for the happiness of humanity.

Key points from the purport
  • For a Sanātanist (a follower of Vedic principles) it is the duty of every householder to have cows and bulls as household paraphernalia, not only for drinking milk, but also for deriving religious principles.
  • The Sanātanist worships cows on religious principles and respects brāhmaṇas.
  • The cow’s milk is required for the sacrificial fire, and by performing sacrifices the householder can be happy.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Moral alarm → Resolve. The king's duty is tested in a deteriorating age.

Chapters 16–17 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit confronts Kali. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali

Parīkṣit protects a cow and bull from abuse and restricts Kali to five places.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gāmthe cow
  2. caalso
  3. dharma-dughāmbeneficial because one can draw religion from her
  4. dīnāmnow rendered poor
  5. bhṛśamdistressed
  6. śūdrathe lower caste
  7. pada-āhatāmbeaten on the legs
  8. vivatsāmwithout any calf
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “duty”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “distressed”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “householder's”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my idea of prosperity include the well-being of cows, bulls and calves?

Practice

Identify one concrete way to support care that keeps cows, bulls and calves protected.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHuman Happiness Includes the Cow's HappinessThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.17.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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